The Maricopa County Voluntary Vehicle Repair and Retrofit Program has been suspended due to current economic circumstances that have resulted in a loss of funding for the Program. While the Program is unable to provide financial assistance for vehicle emission repairs, the Air Quality Department recommends that the necessary repair work be completed by ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified professionals at an Arizona Green Business repair facility. From its introduction in January 1999 through June 2009, the Voluntary Vehicle Repair and Retrofit Program had been funded by the State of Arizona. From July 2009 through November 2010, the program was funded by an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Program provided monetary assistance to qualifying owners of older, high-emitting vehicles that had failed a required emissions test. Over the years, the program helped over 11,700 vehicles meet Arizona emissions standards, resulting in the reduction of over 2,100 tons of pollution.

During a fiscal year, employment sites are processed by the Trip Reduction Program. The TRP produces a detailed statistical summary report for each employment and student site. In addition, the TRP Task Force, along with the TRP staff, reviewed and approve Trip Reduction plans. The report tracks and analyzes the commuting habits of employees and students in Maricopa County.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide a practical guide offering a comprehensive overview of the
department’s policies and interpretations of Rule 310. The intent is that this guide will be useful and used. The handbook is organized to respond to topical questions and it is structured to provide answers to the most commonly encountered compliance challenges.

In order to carry out the intent of Federal Fair Housing legislation, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity division, requires that Community Development Block Grant entitlement jurisdictions comply with regulations to affirmatively further fair housing. This mandate is carried out by the CDBG jurisdictions, in part, by completing an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in their jurisdictions. The State of Arizona is a CDBG Entitlement Jurisdiction and has authorized the Arizona Department of Housing to conduct this analysis. HUD grantees are required to do the following:

-- Complete or update an “Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice” (AI) pursuant to HUD’s Fair Housing Planning Guidebook every three to five years in coordination with the Consolidated Planning Process.
-- Use their comprehensive AI study as the basis to formulate a “Fair Housing Plan” with measurable “actions to be taken to overcome the effects of any impediments” and take those appropriate actions.
-- Maintain records, including their AI study and records to support actions taken and to be taken in regard to implementing the Fair Housing Plan.

This AI is a supporting document to the State of Arizona Consolidated Plan and should be reviewed and evaluated within the context of that plan.

The agency is dedicated to allocating funds in a responsible manner to assist as many Arizona homeowners as possible and through ongoing adjustments to the program we remain optimistic that new avenues will be successful in reducing foreclosures and stabilizing our neighborhoods. Reports highlight the outstanding efforts of the Arizona Department of Housing, Arizona Housing Finance Authority, and the Arizona Home Foreclosure Funding corporation. We are confident that through the tireless efforts of the agency and our dedicated partners we will push through this recession and emerge stronger and better prepared for whatever challenges the future holds.